Sunday, December 21, 2008

Ukiah,CA - A team comprised of Mendocino County people and teams from more than 50 counties convene in San Francisco today on the subject of foster children.

Today's summit is in regard to implementing the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care's recommendations to reform the state's juvenile dependency court system and improve outcomes for foster children in California, a Superior Court of California, Mendocino Count, report stated Monday.

According to the report, teams will be looking at areas of local concern and also creating the means to enact change at the local level.

A portion of the report names better sharing of information among entities that serve families as a discussion topic among county teams. Other points include, for example, raising public awareness for foster care issues and sharing successful strategies.

The Blue Ribbon Commission is a panel appointed by the Chief Justice of California to make recommendations for improving safety, permanency, well-being and fairness outcomes for children and families.

On Aug. 15, the Judicial Council of California accepted recommendations made by the Blue Ribbon Commission.

Members of Mendocino County's team include: Judge Cindee Mayfield, Sheryn Hildebrand of CASA, Rebecca Wilson of HHSA CFSOC, Julie Spoljaric, attorney and Sandra Applegate of Office of County Counsel.

More information on the Blue Ribbon Commission can be seen online at: www.courtinfo.ca.gov/blueribbon